Flow models that include geologic heterogeneity and uncertainty to investigate geomechanical controls on fluid flow and pore pressure evolution

This project will extend and augment basin scale modeling (Valerie Gono, UT-PGE MS thesis). Her initial focus was on injection wells only and did not investigate the effects of geologic heterogeneity. Further work is needed to include faults and their impact on fluid flow, as well as canvassing available data for permeability determination. The goal is to highlight areas of pore pressure change and examine the plausibility of a causal relationship with induced seismicity. If a causal relationship is identified, additional reservoir engineering analyses will evaluate mitigation methods, such as the extent of the “fillable” reservoir for the injection wells and possible limits on allowable rates and pressures.